In the Long Run

At first my Key Limey spurned our attempts to coax him into watching the shows with us, despite our assurances that he would find the series intensely exciting and appealing. We described to him how the main character, Jack Bauer, is a man’s man, the ultimate renegade, but immensely likeable good guy, whose quick and lucid thinking extracts him from many dangerous situations, all in the admirable cause of saving the United States government, its citizens, and by golly, even the entire free world, from terrorists. (Jack is also ruggedly handsome and charismatic, and has a raspy sexy voice, but I didn’t bother to try to sell my Key Limey on those character advantages.)

One night out of boredom, or perhaps, curiosity, my Key Limey joined us in watching our nightly episode. He was hooked. In fact, after we had watched three straight shows, he protested the end of the viewing, even though it was after 2 AM.

24 is definitely addictively entertaining. It leaves my Key Limey and me with some questions about the series:

Is the edgy violence tolerable because its effect is neutralized on a smaller TV screen? Would the series retain its dramatic punch with less of it?

How many times can one person face so many life-threatening situations in 24 hours?

Are all our government special agencies infiltrated with traitorous moles?

How is it that vital phone calls to CTU always go to Nina’s extension? And where can I download that distinctive ringtone for my cell phone?!

Why does CTU allow non-employees (Teri, Jack’s wife, for instance) to wander around this top secret agency unattended?

Can there ever really be a US president with the integrity of David Palmer?

Since the show depicts real time, what is happening during the minutes of the commercials? Can’t we get that action in outtakes?!

If not for the strike of the Writer’s Guild of America, Season Seven of 24 would have aired tonight. The season has been postponed, to ensure a non-stop season of continuous episodes. I’m disappointed, but mollified by the fact that now I’ll have some time to watch the previous seasons I’ve missed. I eagerly anticipate bringing myself up to date with Seasons Two through Six. I could almost watch 24 24-7.

Posted by Cyppy at 5:02 PM